Trap.



A. P. SMITH.

TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 23, 1914.

4 1 U Patented J an. 5, 1915.

lwuewtoz Wat "Mm WQM THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON, D.C

ALBERT IE. SMITH, OF SILOAM SPRINGS, MISSOURI.

TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915..

Application filed January 23, 1914. Serial No. 813,956.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that ll, ALBERT F. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Siloam Springs, in the county of Howell and State ofMissouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traps, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in traps and moreparticularly to an animal trap and the primary ob-' ject of theinvention is to provide a device of this character which will be mostpositive in its action to engage an animal when the tripping device settherefor, is actuated.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a trap ofimproved construction which is simple and durable, inexpensive tomanufacture and very eflicient and useful in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts aswill be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in thespecification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure lisa plan view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention,showing the jaws of the trap in their closed positions. Fig. 2 is asimilar view showing the trap set for operation. Fig. 3 is a sectiontherethrough as seen on line 38, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section as seen online 44, Fig. 1; and F is. 5 is an end elevation of the device in itsclosed and operative position.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in whichsimilar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views and in which 1 indicates a substantially U-shaped bodyor base member, the free ends of the arms of which are connected by aclosed loop or link 2.

Adapted to be guided through the arms or the like of the link or loop 2,are a pair of U-shaped jaw members 3 and 4, these jaw members beingpivoted at their free ends to the ends of a transverse arm 5. This arm 5is offset intermediate of its ends, as indicated at 6 and this offsetportion is engaged with one end of a coil spring 7, the opposite end ofthe coil spring'being securely engaged with the base of the U-shapedmember 1. The normal tendency of this spring 7 is to draw inwardly uponthe arm 6, whereby to draw the arms 3 and 4 inwardly through the loop orlink- 2 and the base portions of the U-shaped members 3 and 4 areprovided with prongs or teeth 8, so that when said members 3 and 4 arebrought together in their normal position, under tension of the spring 7the teeth thereof will cooperate with one another to form co-actingjaws.

Mounted for oscillation on the upper bar or arm of the closed loop orlink 2, is an arm 9, the free end of which is adapted to receive thebait and this arm forms a trigger or the like, as will be seen from thefollowing description. Carried on the arm or trigger 9, is an additionalarm 10 which has a pedal-like member 11 carried or formed on the freeend thereof. When the device is set, the proper actuation of either thearm 9 or the arm 10 will actuate the device. Mounted for oscillationbetween the arms of the tJ-shaped member 1, intermediate the ends of thelatter, is a transverse bar 12 and formed or carried thereon, is aprojection 13 which is designed to form a catch member.

actuate the same simultaneously.

In setting the trap, the arms 3 and 4 are drawn outwardly through thelink or loop 2,. until both of said arms are beyond the same,

The arms 3 and 4 are then- Connected to the catch member and the arm 9,is a flexible connection 14, so as to 3 being thrown back upon themember 1 and engaged with the catch member 13. When so engaged, thebaittrigger or arm 9 extends somewhat upwardly and the footengagingpedal or the like 11 carried on the I arm 10 disposed somewhatoutwardly. A bait is applied to the arm 9 and when nibbled at to theproper degree, or when an animal steps on the pedal member 11, it willbe seen that the flexible connection 14 will be drawn so as to disengagethe catch member 13 from the jaw 3. The tension of the spring 7 will beso great as to immediately force the jaw 3 downwardly upon the jaw 4, atthe same time tending to draw both of said jaws inwardly through theloop or link 2. The animal will, obviously be caught between the jawsand securely held therebetween, until such time as removed by theoperator.

The base portion of the member 1 is provided with a hook or the like 15,with which may be engaged the end of a link chain or other flexibleconnection, whereby the trap proper may be secured to a stationary ob-'ect. 1 From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided animproved trap which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensiveto manufacture and one which will be very efficient and useful inoperation.

WVhile I have particularly described the elements best adapted toperform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes inform, proportion and in the minor details of construction may beresorted to without departing from the spirit or. sacrificing any of theprinciples of the in ti n- Having thus described this invention, what Iclaim is,:--

1. A trap of the class described comprising a U-shaped base member, aclosed loop con necting the ends of the arms of the base member, a pairof U-shaped jaws, a pivot arm, upon which the free ends of the jaws arepivotally mounted, a spring connected at one end to the pivot arm and atits other end to the base member intermediate of its ends, said springmember being adapted to normally hold the jaws within said loop, meansfor holding the jaws in open position against the tension of the spring,and means for releasing the last mentioned means to permit said springto draw the jaws to their closed position. v

2. A trap of the class described comprising a U-shaped base member, aloop connecting the free ends thereof, a pair of U-shaped memberspivoted together at the free ends of the arms thereof and adapted fordisposition through the aforesaid loop, connecting means between thepivotal ends of the U.-shaped jaw members, spring means between saidbase member and the means connecting the ends of the jaws to normallydispose the latter through said loop and to their closed positions withrespect to one another, a catch member pivotally carried on the base andadapted for engagement with one jaw member to retain said jaws in theiropen positions beyond the loop on the base member, and a trigger carriedon the base member in connection with the catch member for disengagingthe latter from the jaw members, whereby to permit the latter to bedisposed to their closed positions.

3. A trap of the class described comprising a Ushaped base member, aclosed loop con necting the free ends thereof, a pair of U- shaped jawspivoted one to the other at the ends of the arms thereof, said jawsbeing adapted for disposition through the aforesaid closed loop,connecting means between the pivotal ends of the arms of said jawmembers, spring means engaged with said connecting means and a portionof the base member to normally dispose said aw members through the loopto their closed posi tions, a transverse bar connecting the arms of thebase member intermediate the ends thereof, a catch member pivotallycarried on said bar and adapted for engagement with one of the jawmembers, whereby to retain both of said jaw members in their outspreadand open positions on the loop of the base member, a trigger pivotallycarried on the upper portion of the loop on said base member, andconnecting means between said trigger and said catch member whereby todispose the latter to its inefieo tive position upon the actuation ofthe trigger, whereby said jaws may be disposed through the loop of saidbase member to their closed positions.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

I ALBERT F. SMITH.

J. M. SMITH.

copies of this patent may be obtained (or five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatents. Washington, D. C.

